Face Raiders is a single player, augmented reality, first-person shooter[3] that uses the handheld's gyroscopic controls and cameras.[4][5] It was first released with the Nintendo 3DS and has been preloaded on all devices in the family. The game is an extended tech demo with a total of two modes and nine levels. Six of these are the primary experience for players, with the three stages in the secondary mode designed to be shown friends unfamiliar with the game.[6] After taking pictures of people's faces, the game uses the faces to create enemies that attack the player, who must shoot them.[6][7][8] The background of the game is the rear camera's viewpoint, which enemies will break through and hide behind.[9] As people walk by in the background, the game takes their pictures, adding to the faces the player must shoot, and adding to the player's score.[7] There are also combos for repeating an action, which multiply the score every time (e.g. if the player hits enemies in the mouth continuously). There are butterflies which can be hit in order to refill health and bombs to collect to be used to destroy all enemies on the screen.[9] At the end of each stage, the player battles a boss.[9] When the boss is defeated, his helmet will turn into an afro. Local high scores are record on a leaderboard.[9]

Prior to release with the 3DS, Face Raiders received generally positive feedback when it was shown at E3 as a tech demo with blocks instead of faces.[10] With the use of faces was included, reviews were even more positive, with reviewers enjoying the fun and humor created by using faces and a live background.[4][6][9][11] The point-and-shootgameplay with gyroscopic controls was said to be novel and easy to use.[4][10][12] The free price was also cited as a positive aspect of the game,[9][10] though some noted that it would be worth an eShop purchase if it had instead been offered there.[6][13] The varied tactics to defeat enemies and bosses were applauded.[4][6][9] However, the shortness of the game was also cited as a downside.[6] Reviewers also felt that the 3D effect could be compromised by using the motion controls.[6][11] The game was also seen as a good way to showcase the features of the 3DS to unfamiliar audiences.[4][5][12]